Tag Archives: start camping season

Dear Seasonal Campers of Bowdish Lake 2025

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Hello! The camping season is upon us,

I know there have been a lot of cold days but it is time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, get back to camping and hanging out with your friends.

The park will officially open on Mother’s Day weekend

however I will let you come on the first and begin Spring cleanup. The utilities will be on and if you experience any issues with them please report them to me directly.

Keep in mind that all issues with cable TV are handled directly with Cox Communications.

I participated last Thursday in a meeting with officials of the DEM to discuss the various outstanding issues.

The DEM admitted there are a substantial number of grandfathered docks, although they can’t seem to determine exactly where they are so I would say we will be O.K. for at least this season. The lawyers for both sides are working out a simple process that you, as campers, can use to obtain dock approval.

The DEM understands that our insurance prohibits us from assuming liability for the dock at your site.

Effective immediately all private dock owners ( the ones who have a dock at their campsite – if you are on the big floating dock or at the jetty, this does not apply to you) must provide the camp with a certificate of insurance for a minimum liability coverage of $500,000  If you do not provide us with a certificate of insurance for your dock you must remove it from the water and dispose of it.

The same level of insurance is required for anyone who has a power boat (either gas or electric) and a golf cart.

The insurance company is demanding that we obtain certificates for all the aquatic and motorized activities. It is required at all campgrounds, not just Bowdish. I do not believe the insurance is very expensive and if you think it is, understand that you can still have your boat at your site you will just have to accept that it may have to be beached.  Also if you have a private dock it must have a gate or chain across the entrance with a no trespassing sign attached. I know it seems like a hassle but we all have to take safety seriously.

 As far as docks that are controlled by the campground

, such as the big floating, dock you can only use the dock as boat slippage, it can not be used for any other type of activity especially swimming or diving.  All swimming is to take place in the swimming areas or out in the middle of the lake at your own risk.

Please understand we live in trying times and I know it seems I am being  abnormally tough about safety and insurance but the world has changed and we just have to accept it.  Please stay positive and make yourself happy and remember I have met many people over the years who camped at Bowdish and have said it was one of the most positive things they did in their life.
Have a great season and we’ll see you around camp.
JOHN

Spring Cleaning 2025

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Easter DonkeysWe will be allowing campers to come in until 5pm daily from May 2nd to May 8th for the purposes of cleaning and setting up your campsites.

We are working on getting the utilities turned on (since they are shut down for the winter) and there may not be water or electricity in all areas.  Please plan accordingly.
During this time YOU MAY NOT CAMP OVERNIGHT!

The first official night of camping will be May 9th.

 Please note the campground rules require that the site fees must be paid in full before camping overnight.

PAYMENTS  For new campers, a 10% deposit is required to reserve a site prior to bringing trailer in.  For repeat and new season campers, 25% of the base site fee is due on or before October 15;  25% is due on or before February 28;  and full payment must be made prior to May 15.  No use of a stored unit may be made until fees are paid in full.  Should scheduled payments not be made BLCA shall have the right to make the site available to others.  Campers who ask to camp seasonally after the season has begun must pay in full before the selected site can be occupied.  Should BLCA be required to remove a unit from a site for non-payment, a charge of $50.00 will apply.

Spring Message about Docks

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Dear valued customers,

I am writing to you today in response to recent issues brought forth by the R.I. DEM.  In their Complaint they have enumerated a whole host of issues, many of which are old and still ongoing which the campground will deal with.  However, there are two of their more recent complaints that you, as campers, will have to deal with.  They are docks and the installation of crushed stone on your site. Understand that this does not include all of you, but only those of you who are within 50′ of either the pond or lake.  If you are not in those areas, you can disregard this notice.

Most of you should recall that when you asked if you could have a dock I have always said yes, but I have always conditioned it on you first obtaining a Permit from the DEM.  According to the DEM, none of the private docks or waterfront sites with gravel/crushed stone have permits and this has caused them to file notice.  The campground, as I have also told you, is prohibited by insurance from getting involved in your dock. You must accept ownership and provide us with an annual certificate of insurance.

There also is the issue of crushed stone within 50′ of the pond or lake; this too requires a permit.  You may decide to rake it back and remove your dock, but I ask you to understand that under the department’s rules, having a dock and spreading crushed stone on your site, while considered an insignificant alteration, you still MUST apply to receive it.

What I also want to explain here is that while many of you will think that the campground should handle this for me, I ask you to understand that I cannot. As I have said, we are prohibited by insurance from owning a dock.

Because the camp is a business, you as individuals have significantly more rights than I do as a business owner.  If I applied as a business owner, they would tell me I am trying to run a 70-slip marina on the lake and never give permission, whereas you as individuals can have it as an insignificant alteration. The same thing for crushed stone.

Please understand that doing nothing is not an option.  You either must apply for the permit or remove it.  Some of you who are less sophisticated may want to get ahold of your builder or Jay Ferria to help you out.  Because of the insignificance of the activity, it really is not a big deal. I know it is a hassle, but it is not much harder than registering your car. I ask for your understanding here.  You are valued customers.

Thank you,

John

Spring 2024 Camping

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Hello everyone and welcome!

The season is upon us, and we look forward to you and GOOD WEATHER, which is the key to happy camping. While we did not have a cold Winter, we did have many severe rain and windstorms We have cleaned much of the damage but there are a couple of areas that still need attention, so please be patient with us.

There is a large water main break in the vicinity of blue 60. Although there is no anticipated disruption in service, due to the flooding rains this break will take some time to repair. Please try to avoid this area.

Utilities

All of the utilities except cable are on. If you should have problems, please let me know. I assume everything is functioning unless you report otherwise.

As far as cable goes, I have delayed this message for I had believed I could report news that we had reached agreement with Cox about cable service.

Unfortunately, Cox is no longer interested in offering bulk TV service to the campground.

They prefer to offer you individual service to your site and that will require you to set up an account and pay their fees. They are a monopoly. I complained to the RIDPUC administrator Tom Kogurt, but to no avail. I will keep trying but as I stated Cox has the upper hand.

Electric Rates

I also have to report to you that due to escalating energy costs and the scandal involving utility company insuring their systems leading to an 18% increase in their service rates I have no choice but to pass those increases on to you and rates will have to increase by 2 cents per kilowatt hour.

Safety

We also must have a major understanding about Safety at the campground. While we have not had a lot incidents at the campground, there have been incidents that have affected the Industry in general. All of you must become conscious of safety. This year I am insisting that all rear facing seats on golf carts MUST have seat belts and they MUST be used. I will be actively watching out for this.

You will also notice that we have purchased additional speed bumps. We intend to get serious about speeding.

Also, all bicycle riders MUST wear a helmet and no bicycle can be ridden after dark, no exceptions.

Beach Safety

As far as the beach is concerned, we cannot find a lifeguard for the season. Therefore, all swimming is at your own risk. Children under eighteen years of age MUST be supervised at the beach by their parents at all times while swimming. Insurance rates have gone up dramatically and everyone must do their part to prevent further increases by becoming more safety conscious.

Campsites Rules

I have had some issues with some of you about campsites and the rules.

If you make an improvement to the site such as crushed stone it becomes part of the site.

I am not going to tolerate people thinking they can hopelessly try to remove the stone leaving the site a complete mess. DON”T purchase stone or any other landscape feature unless you intend to leave it after you are gone or switch sites.

By rule you are supposed to leave the site clean as you found it, not a mess for the camp or others to clean up.

The proper thing to do is to ask permission to make changes to your site so you have a clear understanding of what the rules are.

So come HAPPY and enjoy SUMMER

JOHN